# 5. Google Play publication ## Requirements * [**Bravo Solo account**](https://www.bravostudio.app/pricing) * [**Google Developer account**](https://play.google.com/apps/publish/signup/) {% hint style="warning" %} If you're a company, open a [Google developer account for your organization](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/13628312?hl=en). The new personal developer accounts **require running a closed test with 20 testers for at least 14 days**, extending the publication process to over 2 weeks. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} If you don't have a Google Developer account yet, sign up [here](https://play.google.com/console/u/0/signup). There's a US$25 one-time registration fee. {% endhint %} ## 1. Create app ![Create app button](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2Fdocs%2F-MhSoiUPc4PS3Mwvz8h7%2F-MhSowuYSJxOxQDOlwT6%2FScreenshot_2020-10-30_at_11.55.37.png?generation=1629366768345913\&alt=media) * Once registered, go to and press "**Create app**" button. * Select your **preferred language**, enter your **App name**, indicate if it's an **App or a game**, and if it's **Free or paid**. ![Create app - App details](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2Fdocs%2F-MhSoiUPc4PS3Mwvz8h7%2F-MhSowuXpbIc2XiZCZI5%2FScreenshot_2020-10-26_at_12.16_2.png?generation=1629366768329508\&alt=media) * Scroll down and **accept both Developer Program Policies and US export laws**. Then click **Create app** button. ## 2. Set up your app Go to the Dashboard and find the **Set up your app** section. We will start by completing the tasks under **"MANAGE HOW YOUR APP IS ORGANISED AND PRESENTED":** ### 2.1. Set up your Store Listing * Select "**Set up your store listing**". * Enter some information and assets in the "**App Details**" and "**Graphics**" subsections: ![Set up your app - Set up your Store Listing](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FFrTmXVW7KJmgV3PMl3DP%2FScreenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2009.06.43.png?alt=media\&token=aa66854a-aee0-4b56-bcf4-5d5a6db717ff) #### **App details** Complete the following fields: **App name**, a **short description** and a **full description** of your app. * **Mandatory:** * [ ] App name: max 50 characters * [ ] Short description: max 80 characters * [ ] Full description: max 4000 characters ![Main store listing - App details](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2Fdocs%2F-MhSoiUPc4PS3Mwvz8h7%2F-MhSowub-_tQyrPld2UP%2FScreenshot_2020-11-02_at_18.27_\(1\).png?generation=1629366768399497\&alt=media) #### **Graphic assets** Add the **App icon**, **Feature graphic and Phone, Tablet** or/and **Chromebook screenshots.** ![Main store listing - Graphics](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2Fdocs%2F-MhSoiUPc4PS3Mwvz8h7%2F-MhSowuWnliEGvB2enfh%2FGroup_1.png?generation=1629366768369799\&alt=media) * **Mandatory:** * [ ] **Hi-res App icon**: 512 x 512, 32-bit PNG * [ ] **Feature Graphic**: 1024 w x 500 h, JPG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) * [ ] **Screenshots (Phone, Tablet and Chromebook)**: * JPEG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha). Min length for any side: 320px. * Max length for any side: 3840px. * **At least 2 screenshots are required** overall. Max 8 screenshots per type. * Only screenshots in **Phone** section are mandatory. * **Optional:** * [ ] **Promo Graphic**: 180 w x 120 h, JPG or 24-bit PNG (no alpha) * [ ] **Promo Video**: YouTube video URL Once the mandatory information is ready, click **Save** and go back to **Dashboard - Set up your app** section. ### 2.2. Select an app category and provide contact details ![Set up your app - Select an app category and provide contact details](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FDzxvwKLHbJJtVSEpOoPf%2FScreenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2009.50.12.png?alt=media\&token=2d544501-246b-464b-9ac4-d28772dd53ba)

Store settings - App category - Store Listing contact details

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and click on "**Select an app category and provide contact details"** section. * Click on the **Edit** button of the **App Category** and select a **Category** for your app. * You can also optionally include **Tags** to describe the content and functionality of your app. * In **Store listing contact details,** click on the **Edit** button and enter an **Email**, which will be publicly displayed with your app. **Phone number** and **Website** fields are optional. * Click **Save** button at the bottom right. Now, we're filling out all the steps listed below "**LET US KNOW ABOUT THE CONTENT OF YOUR APP**" subsection. ### 2.3. Privacy policy

Privacy policy

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Set Privacy policy**". * Enter your **Privacy policy URL.** * Click on the **Save** button at the bottom right to proceed. ### 2.4. App access

Set up your app - App access

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**App access**". * Select "**All functionality in my app is available without any access restrictions**". * Click on the bottom right **Save** button. ### 2.5. Ads

Ads

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and click on **Ads**. * Select whether or not your app contains ads. * Click **Save** button. ### 2.6. Content rating ![Content ratings questionnaire](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FTqDSDAHbU9ooduqCVc5A%2FScreenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2010.06.38.png?alt=media\&token=25509b01-a7d8-464f-af47-1fa6629b34f4) * Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app,** select "**Content rating**". * Click **Start questionnaire** button to start the Content Rating Questionnaire. * Enter an **email address** which will be used to contact you about your content ratings. * Select a **category**, and answer some questions about the contents of your app. ![Content ratings](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FYZ6DmCA6yMJ7hpHsBnE5%2FScreenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2010.15.31.png?alt=media\&token=3c5c339e-4c4a-4f0a-8524-37dbe0c38186) {% hint style="info" %} Questions will vary depending on the category previously selected. Normally, you should select **No** to all answers. {% endhint %} * Once ready, click **Save** and **Next** buttons at the bottom right. * In the Summary page, click **Save**. ### 2.7. Target audience

Target audience and content - Target age

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Target audience**". * Select the age groups that you think your app is suitable for. {% hint style="info" %} It is safer to select **18 and over** to avoid [Google Play Family Policy](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/9893335?hl=en) issues. {% endhint %} * Click **Next** at the bottom right to continue**.** * Select whether or not your store listing could unintentionally appeal to children. * Click **Next** to proceed and then, **Save.**

Target audience and content - Store presence

### 2.8. News apps

News apps

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**News app**" * Select if your app is a news app or not. * Then, click **Save**. ### 2.9. COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps

COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**COVID-19 contact tracing and status apps**" * Select if your app is publicly available COVID-19 contact tracing or status app or not. * Then, click **Save**. ### 2.10. Data safety

Data Safety

* Go to **Dashboard - Set your app** and select "**Data safety**". * Read the Overview section and click **Next**. #### **Data collection and security** * Complete the **Data collection and security section** as follows**:** * Answer **YES** to "Does your app collect or share any of the required user data types?" * Answer **YES** to "Is all of the user data collected by your app encrypted in transit?"

Data safety - Data collection and security

#### **Delete account URL** * Specify the method of account creation your app support. * Add a **delete account URL** link. {% hint style="info" %} **How to find your delete account URL in Bravo?** Select your **App** **>** **Publish > Android > Publication > Deletion account URL for Google Play** > **Copy URL.** {% endhint %}

User account creation and deletion URL

#### **Data types** * In Data types section, select the following: * Under **App info and performance**, select **Crash logs**. * Under select **Device or other IDs**, select **Device or other IDs.** * Select any other that applies to your app (example: if it uses location) ![](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2F1u0pGEF7bGZlRsW9Hqws%2FScreenshot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.36.28.png?alt=media\&token=d8acc917-ec53-43e9-9b90-8dad6f16837e) #### **Data usage and handling** * In Data usage and handling, **Device or other IDs**, click on the **arrow** to continue. ![Data usage and handling - Device and other IDs](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2F4Cuh8PEAO7cmXPLnS2uv%2FScreenshot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.37.36.png?alt=media\&token=9f666819-3225-4ca8-9207-9ef94bd12d92) * Fill out the options as in the following image: ![Device and other IDs](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FHQSZkvelMkt0G0M0zrs7%2FScreenshot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.40.56.png?alt=media\&token=c39a73f5-3a5f-4f69-a150-4c4e9c651829) * Open the **App info and performance** dropdown. Click the arrow on **Crash logs.** ![](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2F6eQirAyUFrTIQCCkpEq8%2FScreenshot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.42.55.png?alt=media\&token=7e699609-c6f5-4b31-ac52-bb838aa46ce6) * Select exactly the same options as before and click **Save**. * Click **Next**, then **Save** to finish this section. ![](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2FkpPgGMXS2170ObgY8ULW%2FScreenshot%202022-05-13%20at%2012.43.36.png?alt=media\&token=628a043f-5d55-4bb9-ae1a-5aac6b219ea5) ### 2.11. Government apps

Governments apps

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Government apps**". * Confirm if your app is developed by or on behalf of a government. * Click **Save** to proceed. ### 2.12. Financial features

Financial features

* Go to **Dashboard - Set up your app** and select "**Financial features**". * Select all of the financial features your app provides or select "**My app doesn't provide any financial features**". * Click **Next** and **Save** to proceed. ### 2.12. Advertising ID * From the left hand side bar, scroll down to Policy and Programmes section and click on **App Content**. * Find **Advertising ID** and click on **Manage** button. * Under declaration: **Does your app use an advertising ID?** * Select **Yes** and the checkbox **Analytics** in the list that appears below. This is needed for Firebase Analytics. * Select **No** only if your App has been declared that the [Target audience](#id-2.7.-target-audience) are kids.
## 3. Release your app Once completed the initial setup "Set up your app", go back to the Google Play Console **Dashboard** and now locate the **Release your app** section.

Dashboard - Release your app

### 3.1. Select countries and regions

Release your app - Select countries and regions

* Tap on **Select countries and regions.** * Click on **Add countries/regions** and the confirmation pop-up. Then, select all the countries you want your app to be available for. You can click on the first checkbox, if you want availability for **all** the listed countries. * Do not forget to **Save** at the bottom right of the screen.

Countries/regions

### 3.2. Create a new release {% hint style="info" %} To complete this step, obtaining the **.aab file** is necessary. Learn how to get the AAB file [here](https://docs.bravostudio.app/app-publication/publishing-your-app/android-publication-complete-process/4.-get-the-aab-android-app-bundle-file-to-publish). {% endhint %} If it's your first time creating a production release, you'll see the screen below:
To upload a bundle, provide a signing key or generate one using Play app signing. Click **Choose signing key**, then select **Use Google-generated key**. Wait a moment and refresh the page.
When you're ready to upload your first app bundle, you'll see the following screen. ![Release your app - Create a new release - App Integrity](https://1444025092-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MXpqEanvOhm8vMtIH8i%2Fuploads%2Fy2iJ2KrmubEMoGNrTirc%2FScreenshot%202024-01-12%20at%2013.30.28.png?alt=media\&token=e9844f01-6c81-4cd6-902d-bfa755af8854) * Go to **Dashboard** - **Release your app**, click on **Create a new release**. * Within the **App Integrity** section: * Navigate to the **App bundles** subsection and proceed to **upload the `.aab` file** that Bravo provided. * Add the **Release name**. Suggested a name based on the first app bundle or APK in this release, but you can edit it. * Optionally, you can scroll down to "**Release notes**" subsection and enter release notes for each language. \ \ Here is a list of the supported languages: \ \ For example, if you want release notes for English and Spanish, you would enter:
``` Enter or paste your release notes for en-US here Introduce o pegue su información de release para es-ES aquí ``` * Click the **Save** button at the bottom right, and then **Review release** button. * You may see some warning messages, but you can ignore these. If you followed all the steps correctly, your app is ready to publish. * Click the **Start rollout to Production** button, confirm the popup by clicking on **Rollout.** That's it! Your app will be live soon. For new apps, normally it takes around 3 days to go live. Let us know in the [Bravo Community](https://community.bravostudio.app/c/made-with-bravo) know when your app goes live! We will add it to our "**Made with Bravo**" section. 💥